Likeminded Women Gather Together

When I first started stamping one of the things I enjoyed was making and swapping A.T.C.s then all of a sudden they lost their shine for me and for the past two years I haven’t made any and actually didn’t miss making them. A few weeks ago my friend Penny (A Penny For Your Thoughts) asked if I would like to participate in a swap she planned on hosting. We would make 5 A.T.C.s each and in return Penny would create an accordion book containing 5 A.T.C.s The only reason I said yes is because Penny was hosting the swap and being greedy, I wanted more of Penny’s art!
For all 5 of my A.T.Cs I used images from Dezinaworld – Vintage Collage trio (the image sheet containing women).Paris Nights paper was used (scraps!) for the backgrounds on each A.T.C. and a selection of Crafty Individuals stamps.
I enjoyed pairing the images with text.This is such a fun image and the paper worked so perfectly with the image. Penny included one of our own A.T.C.s in the book we each received. This is the A.T.C. that was in my book. The love and attention Penny put into hosting this swap was amazing. Penny, it was lots of fun, thanks for twisting my arm (only joking!). I  have not only a stunning accordion book (I have not shown it here as it is only correct it be posted on Penny’s blog first) but also five  tiny pieces of art.
Wishes.
Lynne

Butterfly Dreams of Joy

Any stamper who has a favourite stamp company always eagerly awaits news of new releases. I know many of you have Crafty Individuals stamps amongst your stash so you will be pleased to know of some new releases,  two single stamps and two Elements sets. The best way to keep informed is to sign up for the Crafty Individuals newsletter. You will find the form over at their on-line store (link above). So I will tease you no more and share one of the stamps, CI-333 (now in stock). As you can see, this is one of the single stamps and depicts butterflies against columns and flowers.
Both cards are collage style. Did you notice that the wee tag was punched from the main image? There is lots of scope for using elements as tags, etc. I stamped CI-333 twice so I could use one for cutting and punching.
The words on each card are from Crafty Individuals. I find the sample stamp packs they include with orders to be invaluable.
I have never been a fan of decoupage but there are stamps which lend themselves, this being such a stamp. On both cards I layered butterflies for dimension.
I always like bits ‘n’ pieces on cards I make and these are no exception with the inclusion of burlap, twine, lace, buttons and mica. Mica is wonderful for adding a depth of colour here and there, also brings a slightly antique feel.
The Crafty Individuals Winter Wonderland Challenge is in its final hours. The array of artwork for this challenge theme has been amazing, wonderful interpretations of Winter Wonderland.
I appreciate every visit and comment left for me to read, appreciating it more than ever at the moment especially as I have been unable to visit your own blogs. Hope to be able to catch-up with you soon.
Wishes
Lynne

Ideas & Curiosities

Recently the lovely Marjie (She Who Stamps and Scraps) had a Giveaway with the prize being Tim Holtz’ Compendium of Curiosities.  I was amazed to discover I was the winner.This book will set me new challenges and as Marjie said, it doesn’t matter that I own so few Tim Holtz supplies, I can work with what is in my stash. Having looked through the book I can see it is crammed with techniques and ideas, plenty to inspire.
Along with the book Marjie created a card for me
Marjie, thank you so much for my prize and card and for the opportunity to challenge myself with new ideas.
I will return in a short while with another post.
Wishes
Lynne

Whispers Of Paris

This is my final sample for the Ribbon & Lace theme at The Stampsmith Challenge. The entries so far have been amazing but there is still time to join in the fun. All details for entering are available at the link above and please remember that all artwork must contain at least one Stampsmith stamp.
Last week I shared a card with a stamp from the Portrait of a Lady plate and once again I return to that particular plate.This is the largest size of card I’ve worked on to date, it is 8″x8″ which I found slightly daunting but the bonus of this size, I didn’t need to cut into the stunning Paris Nights paper.
Gorgeous ribbon from a chocolate box creates a flamboyant bow.
Scraps from other sheets of paper were collaged onto the base along with the word Paris from the The Stampsmith’s Paris plate, stamped onto old book paper.A wide border of lace along the bottom with an Eiffel Tower charm dangling beneath a fabric bloom. A final reminder that The Stampsmith’s Blog Hop is still underway and you have until the end of this month to participate. Details on how to join in and prize details are available by clicking the button on my sidebar or visiting The Stampsmith Challenge Blog.
Wishes
Lynne

Are You Dreaming Of A White Christmas? (FSC#9)

Are you dreaming of a White Christmas? If your thoughts are straying that way then why not join the fun at Fashionable Stamping Challenge where our latest theme is I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas.  We would love to see your artwork representing this theme but please remember to include stamping.
We also have a new DT member (Fashionette) as Paula has now joined us. Paula (Ephemera’s Attic) creates the most inspirational artwork so as you can imagine we are thrilled she is now part of the team.
I used one of Crafty Individuals newest stamps, CI -332  for my DT sample.
For a bit of fun I asked the FSC girls if they could guess what I had re-cycled, giving the clue:-” it is something we all use everyday”. Well the gold star and heading straight to the top of the class was Terry who guessed correctly ….. a toilet roll!
My idea was to re-use a household item to create pretty packaging for Christmas. Sparkle has been added to the image with the use of glass glitter,  Stardust (clear) pen along with crystal gems.I am also sharing a matching card which I’d actually made as another sample for the Crafty Individuals’ Winter Wonderland challenge (I know many of you visit Crafty Individuals’ Blog where you might have already seen this card).Many of the supplies used on the packaging were used on the card.
If you head on over to FSC you will see the amazing artwork from my fellow team mates alongside the details for entering your artwork to this challenge. We look forward to viewing your I’m Dreaming Of A White Christmas artwork.
Wishes
Lynne

Will We Make It A Date?

Recently I shared Dezinaworld DT art using Shabby Cards #1, today’s post focuses on Shabby Cards #2. ($2). There are 6 graphics on this sheet, four cocktail recipes, a beautiful image with a bird and the sixth image a vintage femme with a backdrop of the Eiffel Tower. Resisting the urge to immediately reach for the Parisian image I decided to focus on the recipes.
At this time of the year calendars are available in abundance. The idea of using the cocktail images on a calendar started to form in my mind.  As a child I distinctly remember my Aunts and Grandmothers who would have calendars of the style that were made of board with an image displayed and at the bottom the paper calendar, I wonder if that style is still available these days.
My shabby chic, retro style, kitchen calendar.
On the detail photograph you might see the texture achieved by printing onto canvas printer paper. This  paper distresses beautifully.The calendar was too white but with the use of Tissue Tape and ink pad I was able to blend it in. If you are looking for free images for your art all you need do is visit Dezinaworld Blog or June’s Olde Curiosity Shoppe.
I am linking the calendar to Beverley’s fun Pink Saturday.
Wishes
Lynne

Sweet Pea

Recently I shared some  bags I’d altered to create pretty packaging using images from Dezinaworld’s  Shabby Cards (set #1) , as there are so many images on this sheet I set about using some of the remainder on greetings cards. The Shabby Cards images create a pretty mat to layer images from Dezinaworld’s Sweet Pea collage sheet. In this instance the image sheet had already been printed onto canvas printer paper which lends lovely texture to any project.

The next time I will share a project using images from Shabby Cards #2.
Over at the Dezinaworld Blog June always has plenty to share, whether it be new products, new artwork or Freebies, well worth a visit.
Wishes
Lynne

A Little Bit French

When Rhonda at A Little Bit French announced that I was the winner of her recent Giveaway I was thrilled as Rhonda’s shabby French style appeals to me greatly.
The first photograph shows the tag with French book text, seam binding and a precious key.  The second part of the prize, a mini Journal. As I said to Rhonda, this will be kept for special jottings.Once again I have been so lucky to have won such a generous Giveaway. Thank You Rhonda for those gorgeous gifts.
If you have not visited Rhonda before you will find the link at the top of this post to her Blog where you can also read details of her creations which she sells.
Wishes
Lynne

She Was All Lady (TSC#24)

As we are fast approaching the half-way mark for November I thought I would remind you of  The Stampsmith Challenge and the Blog Hop. The Blog Hop is only for November, to celebrate one year of the challenge site. There is a button on my sidebar, click the link to take you to the post or you can find details at the challenge site or designers’ blog.
This card is my second project for the Ribbon and Lace theme.This stunning lady is from Portrait of a Lady set.  I used a larger size cardbase than normal as this is quite a generous size stamp and I also wanted to add lots of detail. The base was covered with Ella Blue paper (strangely enough, not blue at all!) and I added Pumice Stone touches to highlight the foiled lettering on this paper. A paper doilie creates a lace effect as a mat for the image.  Plenty of lace added to the top and bottom of the card layered with velvet ribbon and a beautiful piece of trim for the top.Paris cancellation marks (from the Paris set) alongside a pearl pin create an embellishment with a scrap of vintage seam binding tied into a bow.
The entries to the challenge are of such a high standard and I would like to say Thank You to the people who have entered their artwork. Whether old or new we appreciate your support to TSC.
Once again I am sorry if I have not visited your Blog these past few days, I hope to catch-up with you very soon. I also want to welcome new subscribers to my Blog and Followers as I notice that is another option for keeping in touch with my posts.  Every comment or visit means so much to me and I do not take it for granted, so thank you very much.
Wishes
Lynne

Presenting A Present

This post shows the second of my November DT work for Dezinaworld. I selected Shabby Cards 1

Three of the Shabby Cards were selected to create a focal for pretty packaging. The bags I used are new, bought with the intention of altering but any bag could be used or even better re-cycle bags. I would class this size of bag as medium at approx17.5 cm x 22 cm. Having used the bags for gifts I can tell you that a reasonable size gift can be tucked inside and the flap will close with ease.
Again this was a project where I minimised my supplies. I gathered:- French book text, ribbon, scraps of lace, fabric roses and Anna Corba French Phrases stamps.  On the bag above you will see I layered one of the fabric roses onto the printed rose in the image.
Shabby Cards 1 was printed onto canvas printer paper as this paper lends itself to the shabby style of the images.
A recent comment asked the question did I seal the printed images, no I don’t. I have an inkjet printer and I’ve not found the need to seal the printed images prior to working with them but that doesn’t mean to say that others don’t. Hope that helps.
On the second bag “merci” was stamped directly onto the Shabby CardThe final bag.The possibilities are endless with these images and you will see when I share the next Shabby Cards 1 post that I used them in an entirely different way. Later this month I will be sharing a project using images from Shabby Cards 2.
If you visit the Dezinaworld Blog you will find news of June’s Winter Sale offer and you will also be able to view my fellow DT members Shabby Cards 1 artwork.
I am linking this post to Beverley’s Pink Saturday.
Wishes
Lynne